Bring back sustainable coal mining in the UK

With rocketing fuel and energy costs, the remedy lies in one of the cleanest, most efficient forms of energy - coal. With new coal burning technology, the UK's energy crisis is an opportunity to reclaim hundreds of thousands of jobs and reignite the once vibrant coal mining industry. Nationalisation of the coal mining industry, and the re-opening of mines which were closed as part of the Conservative party's ongoing war on the working class, must be a priority of any forward thinking progressive would be Government. The UK must again become a major coal exporter, rather than importing coal at a huge cost to the UK economy which involves child labour and poor working conditions.

Once we had, the most productive, efficient and profitable coal mines in the world. Now the UK imports 44 million tonnes of coal every year at a cost of £4 billion. Proof that the “free market” doesn't work, as the free market isn't free – its manipulated to reflect the interests of the rich, at the detriment of the working class.

Whole communities, destroyed by the sadistic politics of the Tory party, have an opportunity to be saved by investment in the coal industry. The discussion needs to take place and it is the responsibility of the Labour Party to promote the creation of sustainable jobs and energy as part of its agenda.